Want to go to US? Get ready for 5 Rs Interest!

The volume of Indian student population flying to United States for higher studies and better job opportunities is beyond measure these days.

However, the latest market projections are suggesting that in recent years, the interest of Indian students in studying in the United States has started to decline. Earlier, the US was the first choice for higher education because of its top universities, advanced research facilities, and strong career opportunities. But now, many students are slowly looking at other countries.

Reports show that applications from Indian students to US universities have dropped by more than 13% in 2024–25. The number of postgraduate applications has also fallen sharply, with India recording nearly a 37% decline. Even the number of Indian students arriving in the US has gone down. In July 2025, arrivals were 46% less compared to the same month in 2024.

On a related note, for those wanting to travel to US for studies, the loan rate to cover their costs is coming with 5Rs interest. Adding to that, the job situation is bad in the U.S. with very low success rate. So bearing the loan expenses without any jobs is a far tougher task.

At the same time, countries like Germany are becoming more attractive. Germany saw a big 32% rise in Indian student applications. The United Arab Emirates and other European countries are also gaining popularity because of affordable fees, better work opportunities, and simpler visa processes.

The main reasons behind this decline are high tuition and living costs in the US, the weakening value of the rupee, stricter visa rules, and uncertainty about long-term job or immigration opportunities.

Many Indian families now feel that other countries offer better value and security for the future. This trend clearly shows that the US is slowly losing its top spot among Indian students.